Sin against the innocents: Sexual abuse by priests
and the role of the Catholic Church

SANTA CLARA, Calif.—May 4, 2004 -- Leading experts in the area of clergy sexual abuse will come to Santa Clara University on May 14, 2004 for a conference on the lessons learned from the sex abuse crisis in the church. The day-long conference titled, “Sin against the innocents: Sexual abuse by priests and the role of the Catholic Church,” will also launch a book by the same name. The multidisciplinary book focuses on sexual abuse by priests and the Roman Catholic Church with chapters from the perspectives of psychology, sociology, history, religious studies, law, ethics, journalism, and abuse victims.

To request a press pass to the event, request an interview with a speaker or attend the press conference, please contact SCU media relations at 408-554-5125

The conference at SCU’sBensonMemorialCenter, will feature thought provoking dialogue among leading experts. More than 200 people are expected to attend the event.

“Attendees will have an opportunity to listen to and question some of the foremost thinkers and experts on clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church,”said Thomas Plante, professor of psychology at SCU, a national expert in the field of clergy sex abuse, and editor of the book. “The purpose of the conference and book is to bring together some of the best minds in the world to shed light on the problem of clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. It is a complex issue with few simple and straightforward answers. This conference will provide thoughtful and reasoned reflection by professionals who are involved with various aspects of the problem. Panel presentations will address issues of ethics, church governance, and sexuality,” Plante said.

Plante was editor of an earlier 1999 book on clergy sex abuse –‘Bless me Father for I have Sinned: Perspectives on Sexual Abuse Committed by Roman Catholic Priests.’ “Santa ClaraUniversityis one of the leading universities in the country working to provide a reflective environment to discuss the clergy sexual abuse problem,” Plante said.

Some of the conference participants are:

Leon Panetta, director of the Panetta Institute: former member of Congress; former chief of staff of the Clinton White House, and member of the U.S. Conference of Bishops’ committee on child sexual abuse by clergy.

Kathleen McChesney, former third highest ranking official with the FBI: now executive director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection of the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The conference is sponsored by theBannanCenterfor Jesuit Education and the President's Office atSanta ClaraUniversity. For more information about the press conference, or to schedule interviews, call Santa Clara University Media Relations, 408-554-5125, or email darora@scu.edu.

About theBannanCenter for Jesuit Education

TheBannanCenterfor Jesuit Education, founded in 1982, is an educational enterprise atSanta ClaraUniversitythat assists the University in keeping its Catholic and Jesuit character at the center of the educational enterprise. The Center offers faculty, staff, students, and friends opportunities to explore the implications of Ignatian and Jesuit spirituality and mission in the ongoing life of the contemporary University.

AboutSanta Clara University

Santa ClaraUniversity, a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located inCalifornia’sSilicon Valley, offers its 8,060 students’ rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, plus master’s and law degrees. Distinguished nationally by the third-highest graduation rate among allU.S.masters’ universities,California’s oldest higher-education institution demonstrates faith-inspired values of ethics and social justice. More information is online at www.scu.edu.